Micromobility Europe 2023 concluded its two-day celebration of microelectric vehicles in Amsterdam last week with great fanfare. From across Europe and beyond, a diverse fleet of private electric vehicles arrived at the venue, comprising not only cars but also e-bikes, e-scooters, unicycles, and miniature electric automobiles among other innovative modes of transportation. As the convention came to a close after two packed days of product showcases, informative panel discussions, startup presentations and more, attendees were treated to an unforgettable experience – a massive bike party in Amsterdam. With local cyclists leading the way, the group rode out under the stars, accompanied by the pulsating beats of a DJ spinning tracks from atop a cargo e-bike as it cruised along the route.
Among the multitude of captivating concerns that have caught my attention lately are…
I was unable to fully incorporate all aspects of the concept, but for a more comprehensive understanding, I encourage you to join us at our upcoming US conference in San Francisco this fall. I will endeavour to execute many of the most intriguing and remarkably unconventional concepts below.
Discovering the essence of our presentation by watching your accompanying video provides a unique perspective on what it was like to attend the event and absorb its key takeaways.
Micromobility Europe 2023 video highlights
Clip electrical bike conversion package
I had the opportunity to coat Clip’s packaging around two years ago when they initially released it, but this is the first time I’ve come across it individually. Following the rapid installation on a motorbike within mere minutes, I felt compelled to investigate this innovation further.
The sleek and uncomplicated design utilizes a friction drive to power the entry wheel via a wirelessly controlled throttle button. While it’s referred to as a throttle rather than a true one, this assistive mechanism still offers valuable handlebar control, ensuring you won’t receive any unwanted support unless you really need it.
While the design may initially appear comical jutting out ahead of the wheel, its functionality is surprisingly effective. At around the $500 mark, this option represents a cost-effective way to acquire an e-bike without investing in a full-fledged one. As a substitute, you’ll need to find alternative transportation options, as pedals bikes aren’t designed for hauling heavy objects.
As expected, it emerged as a fan favorite and took home the top prize at the Startup Awards. As you may have seen in the video posted above,
Ampler
Ampler Bikes produces a range of sleek and understated e-bikes that seamlessly blend in with traditional pedal-powered bicycles.
The sleek design of foldable e-bikes is beneficial in two ways: they are aesthetically pleasing without the eyesore of bulky batteries or chunky body tubes, and they also don’t attract unwanted attention from thieves seeking valuable e-bikes or components to steal from these bikes.
Ampler offers a range of styles tailored to different driving experiences. As a long-time enthusiast of the Stellar’s understated elegance, I find its effortless geometry genuinely captivating – yet the Junta’s innovative fusion of styles offers a satisfying alternative. The Court is the quintessential go-to choice for individuals who prefer an authentic vintage vibe and a forward-leaning driving posture, reminiscent of a bygone era.
Bikes are entirely manufactured in Ampler’s state-of-the-art facility, located at the heart of Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn. Twelve months ago, I had the opportunity to visit the company’s manufacturing unit, where I was struck by its unwavering commitment to excellence in production.
Navee with waterproof drivetrain
This really caught my attention a bit. What truly caught my attention during Navee’s presentation was their impressive display of the waterproof capabilities of their drivetrain, showcased in a compelling live demo.
To achieve a deeper understanding of the matter at hand, rather than just focusing on the task itself.
Proper testing involves integrating the battery, motor, and controller within a submerged environment, utilizing a tank of water.
If your Navee electric scooter happens to take an unexpected dip or ride through a puddle, rest assured that you’re prepared.
WingsEV
In that case, the advent of electric microcars may not significantly impact daily life for Indian residents. However, witnessing their emergence is still exciting, given the growing emphasis on eco-friendly transportation and reduced carbon footprints?
Wings EV is developing a unique, tandem-style electric vehicle designed to accommodate two passengers in one unit, with one rider seated behind the other in a single, compact car tailored specifically for the Indian market. In rural areas where narrow streets are common, two-wheeled vehicles often dominate the roads due to their ability to navigate through congested traffic with ease. As such, the team responsible for designing and building a compact car recognized the importance of creating a microcar capable of achieving similar results.
While the corporation remains in its early stages, I’m eagerly anticipating significant developments from them.
Swobbee
Swobbee is a pioneering battery-swapping company that has developed a captivating model. Unlike Gogoro, which has evolved as the de facto standard for battery swapping due to its highly refined battery model and swapping stations, Swobbee does not have its own proprietary battery standard, instead opting for compatibility with existing systems.
Swobbee offers a battery-swapping service that leverages a pool of interchangeable batteries from various manufacturers. Companies like NIU have collaborated with Swobbee to tailor-make Swobbee’s battery modules to accommodate OEM battery requirements. Swobbee’s innovative solution enables the deployment of unique battery stations, tailored to specific manufacturers’ batteries, and even supports stations capable of accommodating multiple types of batteries from various producers.
The corporation has successfully completed over 80,000 battery swaps to date, thanks to its efficient system.
Vammo
At the conference, Vammo presented its innovative battery-swapping solution, specifically designed for the South American market. While still in the early stages, they are actively working towards developing their own autonomous battery-swapping technology, aiming to enhance and complement existing charging systems with a novel, automated approach.
As Vammo leverages its agreement with the Latin American market, the company’s prospects for expansion appear bright, driven by a surge in bike usage stemming from the region’s growing dependence on daily two-wheeled transportation.
SoFlow
Despite being unusual, this sentence’s peculiarity piques my interest and makes me curious about the context; therefore, I shall proceed to engage with its enigmatic nature.
SoFlow has regular electrical scooters. What stands out is their innovative and unusual transportation system, a folks mover platform that truly catches the attention. Here is the rewritten text:
This device functions similarly to a scooter, but features a spacious deck designed for efficient transportation of both people and goods across warehouse or industrial environments with enhanced stability.
Its unconventional appearance renders it utterly captivating, making me irresistibly drawn to it even more.
Segway
Can micromobility exist without Segway?
I’m not discussing archaic, single-wheeled hoverboards. That’s lengthy gone. Despite being rebranded under the Ninebot banner, the company remains a subsidiary, showcasing an array of electric scooters and e-bikes at the current exhibition.
Inokim
Inokim, a pioneering Israeli e-scooter company, showcased its latest innovations at the event, having been a prominent player in the industry since the dawn of electric scooters.
I’ve thoroughly inspected multiple Inokim electric scooters, consistently struck by the excellence of their design and build quality.
While not inexpensive, these companies excel at building high-quality scooters that eschew the cutthroat tactics often employed by cheaper e-scooter manufacturers, instead prioritizing reliability and performance.
Ellio
I’ve witnessed all-wheel-drive electric bicycles before, but never quite like this.
While the Ello doesn’t utilize two hub motors for all-wheel drive efficiency, a more reasonable configuration would be a single front hub motor paired with a mid-drive motor powering the rear wheel?
Embedded with a powerful battery in a sleek and compact frame, this innovative e-bike boasts exceptional performance as a swift Class 3 Pace Pedelec, delivering impressive energy efficiency.
Taito scooter
Despite being an unusual sight, three-wheeled electric scooters are a rare occurrence, and those equipped with suspension that can lean into corners are truly exceptional cases.
The developers at Taito have remarkably crafted a game that exceeds my expectations in every way. Having honed my skills, I can instantly discern the nuances of an electric car’s handling, rendering it infinitely easier to maneuver than the other three-wheeled e-scooters I’ve previously experienced.
At the event, the group proudly accepted one of several Startup Awards, leaving no doubt that their impressive work had garnered widespread recognition.
Microlino
As a long-time enthusiast of the Microlino quadricycle, I finally had the opportunity to take it for a spin and experience its capabilities firsthand.
These electric microcars can reach speeds of approximately 90 km/h (56 mph). While I was testing the Microlino in a parking lot, however, I wasn’t able to fully unleash its potential.
As soon as you press down on the pedal, the power and potential become unmistakably real. I was initially surprised that the interior, while minimalist, was surprisingly pleasant. While unconventional, such mini-electric cars could occupy a significant niche in urban environments, serving as compact alternatives to oversized vehicles.
Hilo scooter
You’ve never seen an electrical scooter quite as unique as this one? The Hilo is a unique folding electrical scooter that stands out from those I’ve encountered so far.
This portable bike packs down to a size that’s almost surreal – like a tiny, metallic origami sculpture that could fit in a purse or backpack.
While the creator suggests a roughly 12-month to 2-year timeline for commercialization, it’s premature to start opening wallets just yet. Despite this, we still have much to gain from the impressive design.
Joyride
For entrepreneurs looking to launch a new venture in the burgeoning market of personal scooter sharing, Joyride stands out as an innovative and user-friendly solution that warrants consideration.
The company serves as a comprehensive hub for mobility operators managing substantial fleets of micro-mobility vehicles. Whether you’re ready to take on Lime or Bird with your own personal micromobility vehicles, such as e-bikes or e-scooters, Joyride can help make it happen.
Async
Async’s latest moped-style e-bike is a one-of-a-kind, heavy-duty motorcycle-inspired electric bicycle, but with a fresh new look. Compared to more common retro-styled e-bikes like SUPER73, this model stands out for its distinctive industrial aesthetic.
This e-bike packs a punch with its 750W of power in on-road mode and an impressive 500W output when venturing off the beaten path. The vehicle boasts a potent powertrain that effortlessly unleashes its aggressive potential.
The corporation has recently introduced a range of e-bikes, making them their latest innovation. Despite this being your initial exposure, the company seems to be targeting a slice of the growing market for electric mopeds.
NIU
Niu has streamlined its NQi lineup of electric scooters by introducing two notable enhancements: a sleek new display and reconfigured battery positioning.
The show is a substantial improvement from my previous, self-assembled NQi GT Professional electrical scooter. By relocating the under-seat battery to a position below the floorboard alongside the second battery, a significant amount of space is freed up beneath the saddle, providing an innovative storage solution. Throughout its existence, the model consistently exhibited a subpar performance due to the inadequate under-seat storage, which hardly provided enough room for personal items. Now that the scooter has additional storage space, it conveniently accommodates a bag of groceries or small backpack, harmonizing with its peers in terms of capacity.
Northern Illinois University (NIU) showcased a prototype for wireless charging as part of its collaboration with Tile. The innovative kickstand attachment for the scooter enables users to charge their device effortlessly by simply parking it on the designated charging pad, streamlining the recharging process. While it’s not yet ready for prime time, I’d still like to see Northern Illinois University implement this feature.
Plugging in a scooter and charging it isn’t particularly exhausting. Eradicating the step entirely may yield even greater results.
Äike
Why Äike stands out as a top choice in electric scooters lies in two key aspects: Its products are equally impressive for their innovative design and cutting-edge technology, while the company’s approach is equally commendable for its commitment to quality and sustainability. Okay, possibly that’s 4 causes.
Aike has officially unveiled its Aike T electric scooter, which I previously highlighted. Now, with numerous cutting-edge upgrades, this scooter reaches unprecedented heights. Although one constant factor remains, it’s possible to charge the battery using your laptop’s USB-C charger; this allows you to gain power anywhere, whether it’s on campus or at a friend’s house, without needing to bring the scooter’s dedicated charger along. With its versatile design, the scooter features a pair of USB-C ports – one integrated into the scooter itself and another on the detachable battery – allowing users to easily transform any standard USB-C charger into a scooter-specific power source.
The detachable battery serves as a portable power hub, allowing you to charge your smartphone and other devices on the go, effectively transforming it into a mobile energy bank. You can even cost yourself out of using your laptop computer again, bringing the cycle full circle.
Tannus
Tactical vehicles employ specialized tyres with reinforced sidewalls, known as run-flat technology, which enable them to continue operating safely for a short distance after suffering a puncture. This innovative design allows drivers to maintain control and reach the nearest service station or safety without having to pull over immediately. The concept is reminiscent of high-octane action sequences in movies, where speeding cars defy gravity and physics with reckless abandon. In a manner akin to that, Tannus’s tire liners serve a similar purpose for bicycles.
While tyres may appear less prone to flats with the addition of a thick internal tube protector, they also possess a run-flat capability, allowing them to remain partially supported even if the tube is punctured.
Tannus recently unveiled its innovative new tire technology at an event, which boasts a revolutionary design that renders it completely immune to flat tires. The secret lies in its unique construction, which eliminates the need for air altogether.
Rave journey
Finally, the celebration concluded with a thrilling and unforgettable electronic dance music festival experience. Throngs of event-goers and locals from Amsterdam united to create an unforgettable rave experience as they traversed the city’s vibrant streets alongside DJ Dom Whiting. Dom’s bespoke DJ stand takes the form of a three-wheeled electric cargo bike, allowing him to navigate while spinning tracks.
As we pedaled through the city’s streets, a sea of smiling faces and outstretched arms greeted us, the rhythmic thump of music blending seamlessly with our wheel rotations as we danced along to the beat and reveled in the waves of enthusiasm from onlookers cheering us on.
I’m grateful for the unique opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise to this extraordinary experience. What a stunning approach to conclude this extraordinary event!
Undecided about what they’ll be able to replicate is one thing that they’ll likely be able to recreate when the event returns to San Francisco later this year for Micromobility America – but judging by last year’s US event, it’s clear that this year will still have plenty of surprises in store!
